Flashback Friday Moment of The Week: 5/22/2015

by Just Juan
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Today was a bit of an interesting day for me. It started early this morning with me flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson up to Cincinnati for a retirement ceremony. By the time that was over, it was well after 2pm. As I was driving back to the airport, which is in Kentucky by the way, I came across an interesting sight. It was one that elicited immediate laughter. Today, I came across a food establishment from my distant past. That brings me to this week’s moment in the Flashback Friday series: Lee’s Chicken.

How I first came across this moment? I first came across Lee’s Chicken in Birmingham. During my childhood, it was a place my parents frequented. I remember the yellow box with the red letters very well. We always went to the 4th Avenue South location not far from Children’s Hospital and the UAB medical campus. 

What it meant to me then? At the time, I actually loved the food from Lee’s. They had the best chicken thighs of any spot in the city…and that included Church’s Chicken, Mrs. Winner’s, and even Hardee’s. The mashed potatoes and gravy was really good too. In fact, I haven’t really much dabbled in anybody’s gravy since the Birmingham location closed in the early 2000s. The biscuits were straight trash though. Pretty much, Lee’s was the go-to chicken spot for me until it closed. 

What it means to me now? Today was my first time seeing a Lee’s Chicken, much less being inside of one, since at least 1999, if memory serves correctly. I’ve been to other chicken spots since and I’ve grown to love them too. But after ordering that 2-piece leg and thigh with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, all of the old memories came back…as well as a dormant part of my taste buds. I honestly can’t explain it but that chicken and mashed potatoes tasted just like it did in the 90s. Maybe, just maybe, Lee’s Chicken is still the go-to chicken spot.

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